Freak storm lashes parts of Penang
BALIK PULAU: A tornado-like storm following several hours of downpour lashed through various parts of the state, tilting over container homes, blowing off roofs and uprooting trees.
Nine foreign workers were hurt when the eight container units that they were staying in overturned at a construction site in Jalan Baru here.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department (fire operation and safety) officer Supt Nafis Ariff Abdullah said the workers sustained minor injuries in the 11am incident.
“They were given first aid and later taken to the Balik Pulau hospital for outpatient treatment,” he said.
At least 12 partially wooden shophouse units, two houses and a temple in Jalan Baru were also affected.
Resident Nur Fatin Amira, 27, said part of the roof of her grocery shop was blown away.
“The strong wind lasted for just a minute. I believe it came from the sea.
It had started raining since midnight but what scared me the most was when I heard the loud howling wind later in the morning.
“It all happened so fast that I couldn’t save any of the items in my shop,” she said.
Another resident Tan Teik Seng, 71, said he was shocked to see water in his living room when he woke up in the morning.
Tan said he and his family were sleeping when the storm jolted them awake.
“It had been raining through the night and the weather was perfect after a heatwave of several months.
“I only realised that the roof of my house was gone when I saw my living room submerged in water.
“The thunder was quite loud and my neighbour told me that something like a ‘tornado’ swept through our neighbourhood.
“This is the first time we have experienced such a terrible incident,” he said.
Tan said there were 10 people in his house at that time, adding that he was thankful nobody was injured.
“Our village head asked us to lodge a police report and I hope that the state government can send people to help us with the repairs immediately,” he added.
A big tree also crashed onto a shophouse unit there after it was uprooted by the wind.
In George Town, a tree, believed to be over 50 years old, within the compound of the state assembly building in Light Street damaged the fence when it fell.
No casualties were reported in the incident that brought traffic to a standstill.